Album Review: Artikal Sound System welcome us into their South Florida world with debut full-length album
Photo courtesy of Artikal Sound System / Controlled Substance Sound Labs.
There is something about the South Florida sun, water, and beaches that help cultivate great reggae music. The latest to bloom is the talented band Artikal Sound System, who released their highly anticipated debut full-length album "Welcome to Florida" today on label Controlled Substance Sound Labs.
The story of Artikal Sound System began in 2012 when guitarist Chris Montague and bassist Fabian Acuna decided to create their own group after working as backing musicians for many talented Caribbean singers. They added drummer Adam Kampf and keyboardist Christopher Cope to the roster and completed the lineup with the talented Logan Rex on vocals. "Welcome to Florida" is a testament to the modern state of music that is characterized by skilled musicians blending different genres to fit their musical home of choice. The album is able to pull together the experience of Montague and Acuna, the funky rhythms of Kampf, the tone choices of Cope, and the jazz-influenced singing of Rex. "Welcome to Florida" also features wonderful collaborations with Little Stranger, The Elovaters, and Dubbest.
Artikal Sound System's collaboration with Little Stranger, titled "When I Wanna", features a beautifully mysterious rhythm with the funkiness and jazziness of the band really shining through. Kampf swings his beat like a 90s hip hop production, with washed-out guitar chords and spacey synth choices laying on top. The bass bounces with the drum pattern, creating a stellar vibe on top of which frontwoman Rex floats her jazzy melodic style. Little Stranger's verse perfectly compliments Rex's vocal stylings and ups the energy of the song by just the right amount.
Following "When I Want" is the single "Dissolve". This song touches on the common inevitable end of a "Friends with Benefits" relationship. Logan Rex explains, "We all know the ‘friends with benefits’ thing rarely works but it doesn’t stop us from trying. ‘Dissolve’ is a brutal ode to a failed situationship.”
The band brings their instrumental signature over booming 808's, and Cope's excellent key work takes the spotlight more than once on this killer track.
"Spiritual Broadcaster", featuring New England's rising stars The Elovaters, is a funky jam that comes right out the gate with catchy and danceable horn lines. Rex lets her soulful tone shine through, and The Elovater's Jackson Wetherbee picks up the vocal baton with zero hesitation, spitting a funky verse that is both syncopated and whimsical. The two harmonize for the final verse, perfectly finishing out the track before the horn section comes in for a final time. Without a doubt, this track will get the whole crowd dancing at any Artikal Sound System live show.
"Cops and Robbers" shows Artikal's ability to combine contrasting song sections and create catchy and memorable choruses. The verses of "Cops and Robbers" consist of a loungey ska beat featuring horns and mallets, while the choruses have a classic reggae-rock sound with well-executed vocal harmonies. For fans of bands like the Mad Caddies, we highly recommend giving this track a listen.
We loved listening to "Welcome to Florida" and are excited to see where Artikal Sound System goes next!
For more info on tour dates and new releases go to www.artikalsoundsystem.com
"Cops and Robbers" is the Daily Reggae Song of the Day.
By Chris Lawrie.
